Thursday, October 1, 2026
In celebration of Valley Stream’s 100th anniversary, the Waldinger Memorial Library is asking residents to reflect on their literary loves and share their all-time favorite books. The survey, launched earlier this year, aims to create a diverse and unique list of 100 top titles that encapsulate the community’s reading habits. The results will be unveiled during National Library Week this April.
Library Director Mamie Eng said there will also be book raffles and ample opportunity for readers to vote as many times as they’d like for their all-time favorite reads. Whether your a die-hard book enthusiast or want to have in on the fun, here are the top three things to know about the library’s upcoming centennial reading survey:
1. The survey is open to readers of all ages and literary tastes
To celebrate the village’s 100th anniversary, the library was tasked with finding a way to connect the milestone to the community’s love of reading. Library Director Mamie Eng saw the popularity of 2024’s trending books as the perfect springboard for the survey. “We wanted to find a way that was relevant to the library and the community,” Eng said. “The press about popular books in 2024 gave us the idea to ask our readers about their all-time favorite books, which would allow us to celebrate Valley Stream’s literary culture in a meaningful way.”
The survey has been running since mid-January and is available both online and in-person. Children, teens, and adults are all encouraged to participate until the end of March.
2. Patrons can vote as many times as they’d like and even enter a raffle
Residents can take part in the survey in several ways, ensuring maximum accessibility. The library’s online survey can be accessed via a link in their newsletters, while paper ballots are also available for those who prefer to vote in person. The process is simple — participants select their favorite books, and they can even vote for the same book multiple times.
“People can vote as many times as they like, and they can even vote for the same book if it truly is their most favorite,” Eng explained. This gives people the chance to really express what they love about books, whether it’s a timeless classic or a recent favorite. To encourage participation, those who provide their name and contact information will be entered into a raffle prize.
3. The final list is likely to feature a wide range of titles
While the survey results will primarily be determined by the number of votes each book receives, Library Director Eng anticipates a diverse range of selections. She expects that the adult category will include a diverse mix, from older classics and contemporary bestsellers, while the children’s section will likely lean toward popular titles like Dog Man and Diary of a Wimpy Kid.
“The paper ballots show that the votes are all over the place,” and that’s exciting because it means we’re capturing a broad spectrum of preferences, Eng said.
As part of National Library Week in April, the library will showcase as many of the winning books as possible, and a handout with the full list will be made available.
Have an opinion on this article? Send an email to jlasso@liherald.com.
